Acceptable in the \'80s
hollywood,Fashion icon,Joan Collins
Joan Collins
When the first model took to Dolce & Gabbana\'s autumn/winter 2009 catwalk, we had the oddest sense of déjà vu. And then it hit us. The leopard print, the exaggerated shoulders, the OTT embellishment, the fur, the gobstopper gems... Every piece could\'ve come straight out of the wardrobe of Joan Collins.
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This season, the \'80s are back in a big way - but for glamourpuss Ms Collins, power dressing has never gone out of fashion.
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The beloved British actress, model and writer began her career in films, debuting in 1952\'s I Believe In You before being signed by 20th Century Fox as their answer to MGM\'s Elizabeth Taylor and starring in various film adaptations of her sister Jackie\'s racy novels. But it was smash hit series Dynasty that propelled Collins, who played the scheming Alexis Carrington, to international super stardom. Alongside her on-screen nemesis Linda Evans (aka Krystle Carrington), she set the fashion agenda in her \'80s heyday as both characters vied to outdo each other\'s increasingly outrageous style statements.
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Even though Collins\' CV is vast, it is her unwavering dedication to the cause of glamour for which she is known to a new generation of fashionistas. Indeed, she starred in a makeover show, Joan Collins Does Glamour, earlier this year and is regularly papped on the celebrity circuit - never looking anything less than immaculate - with fifth husband Percy Gibson.
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Flick through our gallery of her greatest fashion moments to see why she\'s our fashion icon this month.
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Picture: Joan Collins rocking some serious shoulder pads, chic hat and plenty of gold in 1987.
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Trend translated: Glossy Dynasty
Daytime dress-up
hollywood,Fashion icon,Joan Collins
Joan Collins
Doing glamour the daytime way in a fur coat, oversized sunnies, belted tunic and fitted trousers for a stroll with then-boyfriend Peter Holm in July 1984.
Trend translated: Glossy Dynasty
Trim-tastic
hollywood,Fashion icon,Joan Collins
Joan Collins
A lesson in head-to-toe dressing in 1983: a sophisticated white faux fur-trimmed skirt suit with matching beret.
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Trend translated: Glossy Dynasty
I should shoulders
hollywood,Fashion icon,Joan Collins
Joan Collins
Joan arrives at the 1983 Carousel of Hope Ball with Michael Nader, making a grand statement in a daring gold gown with enormous shoulder detail.
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Trend translated: Glossy Dynasty
The thigh\'s the limit
hollywood,Fashion icon,Joan Collins
Joan Collins
Joan pictured in 1985 wearing a daring white slashed-to-the-thigh dress, topped off with a then-trademark dramatic hat.
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Trend translated: Glossy Dynasty
Origami me
hollywood,Fashion icon,Joan Collins
Joan Collins
For the Variety Arts Club Celebrity Tribute to Lucille Ball in November 1984, Joan opted for a frothy white gown with origami-style architectural shoulders, a white fur and lashings of diamonds.
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Trend translated: Glossy Dynasty
Golden girl
hollywood,Fashion icon, Joan Collins
Joan Collins
Joan soaks up the atmosphere at the height of her career, at the 38th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, 1986, wearing a daring plunge-front gold gown (and some seriously big hair).
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Trend translated: Glossy Dynasty
All white on the night
hollywood,Fashion icon,Joan Collins
Joan Collins
An updo, chandelier earrings, and a box clutch accessorise an asymmetrical white gown with tie-front, square-shouldered jacket for the Variety Club\'s Big Heart Awards in April 1986.
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Trend translated: Glossy Dynasty
That\'s a wrap
hollywood,Fashion icon,Joan Collins
Joan Collins
A chic, monochrome wraparound dress, silver breastplate necklace and a wide-brimmed white hat at the 6th Annual Celebrity Mother-Daughter Fashion Show in 1987.
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Trend translated: Glossy Dynasty
Twinkle, twinkle
hollywood,Fashion icon,Joan Collins
Joan Collins
Wearing a sheer embellished creation by Givenchy to see Hubert de Givenchy himself honoured with California\'s Lifetime Achievement Award in 1988.
Trend translated: Glossy Dynasty
Wild thing
hollywood,Fashion icon,Joan Collins
Joan Collins
Joan Collins wows a new generation of fashionistas in Dolce & Gabbana\'s leopard print blouse, a black mini skirt, raffia hat and two-tone heels at the Caroline Charles spring/summer 2010 show during London Fashion Week at the BFC Tent at Somerset House, September 2009. She may be 76, but check out those pins!
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Trend translated: Glossy Dynasty
